The report is the culmination of over 100 hours of consultation with stakeholders to identify recommendations that will ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have good educational outcomes in their local community schools. We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who gave up their time to engage in the consultation, the result of which is a rich and comprehensive report.

The Strategic High Needs Block Review marks the start of the next phase of development for East Sussex SEND. The Strategy for SEND 2018-2021 will be shared in September, setting out how recommendations in the report will be taken forward. Stakeholders from Health, Education, Social Care and parents/carers have jointly identified four shared strategic aims:

• Build capacity for inclusion in settings, schools, colleges and services• Improve communication with families, children and young people• Transition at every stage - the journey of a child• High quality provision, services, outcomes and aspirations.